[jeyjey]

I just purchased a 1979 T2. I've been out of the classic car scene for some years after moving to Ireland (at various times I had TR4s, 6s, a Ginetta G4 and a Ferrari 330GTC back in California).

Anyway, there don't seem to be any RR/B specialists over here in Ireland, so I'll be doing much of the work myself (and no doubt leaning heavily on the experience of folks on this forum).

There's a bit of wheel arch and sill rust, so next summer I'll likely send it out for some bodywork and a respray. But I want to get to know the car a bit first (partly to determine whether to do a "quickie" or a glass-out and doors-off back-to-metal job on it).

Cheers,
-- Jeff.

 

[Stirling]

Great to have you join us Jeyjey, welcome to the forum.

It seems odd there are no independent Rolls-Royce or Bentley specialists in Ireland. Maybe somebody on here can recommend one.

In the meantime, you'll have more 'fun' working on it yourself.

 

[stephen mullan]

I just purchased a 1979 T2. I've been out of the classic car scene for some years after moving to Ireland (at various times I had TR4s, 6s, a Ginetta G4 and a Ferrari 330GTC back in California).

Anyway, there don't seem to be any RR/B specialists over here in Ireland, so I'll be doing much of the work myself (and no doubt leaning heavily on the experience of folks on this forum).

There's a bit of wheel arch and sill rust, so next summer I'll likely send it out for some bodywork and a respray. But I want to get to know the car a bit first (partly to determine whether to do a "quickie" or a glass-out and doors-off back-to-metal job on it).

Cheers,
-- Jeff.

hello jeff
i have just read your brief summary on the t2. i live in county down and have built up a good relationship with skilled rr mechanics and coachmen over the years, all from here at home. please don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss your t2. i was close to buying a t2 this summer from the chelsea workshop after selling my spirit but missed out by a weekend. did drive home a 1978 shadow 2 one owner with 32k on the clock. i do know the marque and enjoy talking about them. would like to hear from you

best regards
stephen

 

[jeyjey]

Hi Stephen,

Just the kind of news I wanted to hear. I've gotten quite attached to the car already, so I'll definitely be looking for someone to sort out the body/paint this coming spring. If I could do it without sending the car across the water that would be great.

What part of Down are you in, the "near" part or the peninsula? I'm in mid-Louth, so we may be quite close.

Jeff.

 

[lordphi]

I owned an SS2 for eight years and 120k miles (followed by an SS1 for 5 years). I have really enjoyed both cars.
The SS2 had a little sill and wheel arch rust when I bought it. At first this appeared to rust rather than rot. Within about two years some rot problems were beginning to show. Preferring to aim at perfection I made enquiries about the back to metal option. The cost was massively prohibitive even before talking about the cost of repair to the bodywork rust. Over the years I had different sections repaired and repainted. My painter managed a remarkable match between existing and new paint finishes. However, this approach was never going to succeed. None of the jobs truly exterminated the rust. It would appear later, somewhere else. With hindsight I should have swallowed hard, consulted the bank manager and had the job dome properly or sold it and moved on.
I traded in the SS2 against my SS1, where a top purchase priority was condition of bodywork. Over the period of ownership I did not regret paying a premium up front.

 

[jeyjey]

I never posted a picture of the car. Not that this one is really of the car, but my daughters left me a prezzie on the bonnet:

Cheers,
Jeff.

 

[guyslp]

Yeesh, how often do you get enough snow to take a picture such as that one!!

On a PMC-related note, I notice that someone replaced the original wheels with those from a Bentley of a much later vintage.

 

[jeyjey]

Brian,

That kind of snow used to be a once-in-a-generation kind of thing, but this the second year in a row we've had it.

Yes, the PPO (or would that be PO-once-removed?) replaced the wheels in 1998 when he put the Harvey Bailey kit on it. The originals have long since parted ways with the car (assuming he even kept them to start with); then again, if it's wrong wheels and Harvey Bailey vs. neither of them, then I'll take the wrong wheels and Harvey Bailey.

Jeff.